ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium - 2027 Grant Overivew
The ACC Foundation provides grants to support students pursuing careers in the airport development industry by providing the opportunity to attend the ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium. Grant recipients gain access to industry education, professional development, and valuable networking opportunities with airport and aviation leaders from across the country.
The next grant will fund attendance to the 2027 Symposium held March 16-18 in New Orleans. The application period for 2027 Symposium Grants is September 15 – December 15, 2026.
Grant Opportunities
Standard Symposium Grant: $5,000 Value
The ACC Foundation Symposium Grant provides 2-3 selected students with financial support and the opportunity to attend the ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium and engage directly with professionals from across the airport development industry. The grant will help cover costs associated with attending the Symposium such as travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses. The ACC Foundation will cover conference registration separately.
Speas Grant: $7,500 Value
The Speas Grant recognizes a student who demonstrates an interest in leadership related to airport-environment compatibility, including sustainable terminal design, noise abatement, ecosystem protection, and other efforts to mitigate the environmental impacts of airports and aviation.
A separate application is not required for the Speas Grant. Applicants who indicate that they would like to be considered for the Speas Grant will be evaluated for that award first. Those who are not selected for the Speas Grant will then automatically be included in the applicant pool for consideration for a standard $5,000 Symposium Grant. Applicants may receive either the Speas Grant or a Symposium Grant, but not both.
The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) Foundation was established to further the education, research, and other initatives that advance innovations in airport development and foster the growth of airport development-related services. Learn more about the ACC Foundation here.
The Foundation is also dedicated to the growth and advancement of airport development professionals. In alignment with these objectives, each year the Foundation funds grants for aspiring airport development professionals to attend the annual ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium, a premier aviation event in which aiport development professionals from around the country convene to discuss trends, lessons learned, and the future of the industry. The next grant will fund attendance to the 2027 Symposium held March 16-18 in New Orleans, Lousiana.
This is an excellent opportunity for current university students and recent graduates who are considering a career in the airport development field.
The symposium typically has an attendance of more than 2,000 and offers highly technical content for airport professionals of all disciplines and experience levels. Workshops include a blanced mix of presentations and interactive discussions between subject matter experts and participants on a broad range of topics. Technical tracks cover planning, terminal/landside, engineering/airside, and program management/construction management, as well as two mini-tracks featuring interactive workshops on the airport terminal of the future, and workshops on enhancing diversity at the workplace and in airport projects. Sustainability, IT, security, and the latest in airport research will be incorporated into the program and designated through icons to help inform your session selections. Plenary sessions and a keynote luncheon will cover new trends and innovations that will impact airport professionals today and into the future. The symposium also features a robust program for aviation young professionals, including a technical training and opportunities for professional development.
Symposium Highlights:
- 25 unique technical workshops with more than 100 technical presentations
- “Open Mic” sessions with officials from the FAA and TSA
- Networking sessions for thought-provoking discussions and connections
- Keynote talks and plenary sessions with industry leaders
- Over 100 exhibitors demonstrating new technology
- Young professionals program
Grant Value:
Selected recipients will receive a $5,000 Symposium Grant to help cover costs associated with attending the ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium, including travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses. The ACC Foundation will cover conference registration separately.
One recipient may be selected to receive the $7,500 Speas Grant, which recognizes a student who demonstrates a strong interest in and leadership related to airport-environment compatibility, including sustainable terminal design, noise abatement, ecosystem protection, and related efforts. All eligible applicants will be considered for the Speas Grant based on their application materials and response to the Speas Grant question. Applicants who indicate that they would like to be considered for the Speas Grant will be evaluated for that award first. Those who are not selected for the Speas Grant will then automatically be included in the applicant pool for consideration for a Standard $5,000 Symposium Grant. Applicants may receive either the $7,500 Speas Grant or a $5,000 Symposium Grant, but not both.
Grant recipients will be recognized and presented with their awards during the Symposium. Grant disbursements will be mailed to recipients immediately following the conference.
Individuals who meet the following criteria will be considered eligible for this grant:
- Pursuing, or have recent received an undergraduate degree in a field applicable to airports. Because airport development includes a wide range of skills and careers, applicants will be considered with pursuits or degrees applicable to the following: planning, environmental, engineering, architecture, construction, education, business, marketing, communication, equipment, law, services, airports, suppliers, advertisers, and concessions.
- Students applying for the Speas Grant must demonstrate an interest in leadership related to airport-environment compatibility, including sustainable terminal design, noise abatement, ecosystem potection, and other efforts to mitigate the environmental impacts of airports and aviation.
- Be less than two years from reciving an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree or no more than two years after receiving an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree.
- Agree to attend and participate in the full ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium. The chance to attend the Symposium is a cornerstone of this grant and it is expected that the awardee will make every effort to participate in the conference for the full duration, attending sessions, and networking with other attendees. It is possible that specific expectations will be outlined for your efforts at the conference; for example, meeting and documenting discussions with exhibitors who are present to share knowledge about the industry. These expectations could involve a follow-up after the conference concludes. ACC may provide a mentor, or mentors, to guide you through the conference and support your networking.
- Posess a vested interest in pursuing a career in airport development or aiport development-related services and demonstrate this interest in the essay portion of the application (for example, an internship, study, work experience, or other practical ties to airports.)
- Complete all components of the application. Incomplete applications will not be considere
The deadline to submit applications for the 2027 Standard Symposium Grant and the Speas Grant is December 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EST.
Complete the application form, which can be found at the bottom of this page. The application includes the following components:
- Details of any academic honors and awards received by the applicant
- GPA
- Details of extracurricular activities
- Details of any leadership roles held by the applicant
- One personal reference/testimonial
- Two academic references/testimonials
- Personal essayat the
Eligible applications will be reviewed by the ACC Foundation Board, which will make the final determination of grant recipients. Applicants will be notified of their application status during the week of January 25, 2027.
Q: What is the value of this grant?
A: $5,000 for the Standard Symposium Grant and $7,500 for the Speas Grant. The purpose of the grants are to cover travel, lodging, and meals in order for the grant winners to attend the event.
Q: Does this conference grant program provide support for travel to Symposium?
A: The current program is designed to provide funding for individuals to travel to the Symposium. The funds are also intended to be used for lodging and meals. Grant winners are expected to make their own travel arrangements. However, if a grant winner is unable to make their own travel arrangements, the Foundation can provide logistical assistance and make some recommendations.
Q: Does the recipient of the grant need to pay a registration fee to attend the Symposium?
A: No. Our intent for the grant is to allow you to attend the Symposium at no cost. The registration fee will be waived for grant recipients.
Q: I am a young professional currently working in the airport industry. I really want to attend, but my employer will not send me. Am I eligible to apply for this grant?
A: This program is intended for students currently pursuing an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree who are within two years of graduation and recent graduates who received their bachelor’s degree within the past two years. If either of those criteria apply to you, then you are eligible to apply. If not, then please refer your employer to the Symposium website so they can learn more about why they should send you to this event.
Q: If I am selected, when will I get the grant money?
A: Grant disbursement checks will be mailed to the winners immediately following the conclusion of Symposium. This means that winners will typically need to use their own funds to pay for all travel expenses up front.
Q: Will the Foundation consider funding attendance to a different industry event?
A: The funding priority for this program is attendance to the ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium. If applications are submitted that include requests to attend different events, they will not be competitive.
Q: I am looking for some funding for a local program. Will the ACC Foundation consider providing grant funding?
A: Please send an email with more information to info@acconline.org.
Q: I have some questions. How can I contact the ACC Foundation?
A: Please send an email to info@acconline.org
